Calorie Counting while pregnant

I'm not pregnant now, but its a possibility for the future. During my last pregnancy, I gained 70 pounds, and it was hard losing the last 30 of it. So, do you think calorie counting dutiful a pregnancy is wise, as log as the woman is taking in the minimum recommended for a pregnant woman (2,500 calories, I think)? Or should women just give in to their cravings and try to eat a balanced diet without stressing about calories?

I'm not pregnant now, but its a possibility for the future. During my last pregnancy, I gained 70 pounds, and it was hard losing the last 30 of it. So, do you think calorie counting dutiful a pregnancy is wise, as log as the woman is taking in the minimum recommended for a pregnant woman (2,500 calories, I think)? Or should women just give in to their cravings and try to eat a balanced diet without stressing about calories?

This is exactly what I'm probably goin to do when I get pregnant next. It may sound a bit selfish, but I gained 80lbs with my son. I just got back down to my pre pregnancy weight. It took me 5 months of hard dedication. Now that I am here, I can't fathom being how heavy I was after I had my son, I was Miserable with that much weight... So yes, I will next time around calorie count, or ask to be put on the GD diet so I don't get crazy.

This is exactly what I'm probably goin to do when I get pregnant next. It may sound a bit selfish, but I gained 80lbs with my son. I just got back down to my pre pregnancy weight. It took me 5 months of hard dedication. Now that I am here, I can't fathom being how heavy I was after I had my son, I was Miserable with that much weight... So yes, I will next time around calorie count, or ask to be put on the GD diet so I don't get crazy.

Instead of counting calories why can't you just eat healthy instead. Replacing chips with carrots and ice cream with an apple or herbal tea instead of juice or pop would cut out many unhealthy calories while giving your body the nutrition it needs to grow another living being. Making healthy food choices would be so much better than actually counting calories.

Instead of counting calories why can't you just eat healthy instead. Replacing chips with carrots and ice cream with an apple or herbal tea instead of juice or pop would cut out many unhealthy calories while giving your body the nutrition it needs to grow another living being. Making healthy food choices would be so much better than actually counting calories.

I am pregnant and count calories but not to avoid weight gain. I had gastric bypass 9 months before I got pregnant so I count calories because I was eating less than 1,000 a day. At 18 weeks I'm 4lbs up.

I am pregnant and count calories but not to avoid weight gain. I had gastric bypass 9 months before I got pregnant so I count calories because I was eating less than 1,000 a day. At 18 weeks I'm 4lbs up.

I actually ate healthy during my last pregnancy. I didn't eat chips or excess sweets or junk food. I cooked all of our meals, and didn't use a lot of processed food. But I craved cheese, lots and lots of cheese. I also ate a lot of peanut butter. It's much easier to eat healthy when you measure portions and count calories IMO.

I actually ate healthy during my last pregnancy. I didn't eat chips or excess sweets or junk food. I cooked all of our meals, and didn't use a lot of processed food. But I craved cheese, lots and lots of cheese. I also ate a lot of peanut butter. It's much easier to eat healthy when you measure portions and count calories IMO.

It's the healthiest thing you can do for you and baby, provided you are eating the number of recommended calories vs dieting . I track everything I eat- it helps me eat enough veggies/fruit and ensures I don't go insane on sugar (like eat a whole carton of ice cream mindlessly when stressed or sad). I had a past history of binge eating followed by extreme deprivation and being more mindful really has enabled me to become recovered. It really has to be immediate tracking for me, so I use a free app on my phone. I will have gained about 22 lbs with this pregnancy and via ultrasound, know that baby is right at the 50th percentile and well grown.

It's the healthiest thing you can do for you and baby, provided you are eating the number of recommended calories vs dieting . I track everything I eat- it helps me eat enough veggies/fruit and ensures I don't go insane on sugar (like eat a whole carton of ice cream mindlessly when stressed or sad). I had a past history of binge eating followed by extreme deprivation and being more mindful really has enabled me to become recovered. It really has to be immediate tracking for me, so I use a free app on my phone. I will have gained about 22 lbs with this pregnancy and via ultrasound, know that baby is right at the 50th percentile and well grown.

With my next pregnancy, I will definitely be counting calories and keeping a close eye on my food intake. I gain weight if I even look at food and with my first pregnancy I didn't watch what I ate at all. I didn't overeat, but I just ate what I wanted. I gained 60lbs. and only lost 30 of it after the birth of my son. I am still working to get this d@mn weight off and I will never do that to myself again. Because I do not want to deny myself of any cravings during pregnancy, I will just monitor my calories so that I can have a little of this and a little of that. So, personally, I think it's a great idea for someone who struggles with their weight.

With my next pregnancy, I will definitely be counting calories and keeping a close eye on my food intake. I gain weight if I even look at food and with my first pregnancy I didn't watch what I ate at all. I didn't overeat, but I just ate what I wanted. I gained 60lbs. and only lost 30 of it after the birth of my son. I am still working to get this d@mn weight off and I will never do that to myself again. Because I do not want to deny myself of any cravings during pregnancy, I will just monitor my calories so that I can have a little of this and a little of that. So, personally, I think it's a great idea for someone who struggles with their weight.

I don't think counting calories is bad as long as you are also listening to your body. Even if you have eaten the recommended calories for the day if your body tells you it is hungry I would eat a healthy snack, an apple or carrots or something not high in calories but will satisfy your hunger. The reality is if we all listened to our bodies we wouldn't gain too much weight. I am terrible about listening to my body and tend to eat mindlessly.

I don't think counting calories is bad as long as you are also listening to your body. Even if you have eaten the recommended calories for the day if your body tells you it is hungry I would eat a healthy snack, an apple or carrots or something not high in calories but will satisfy your hunger. The reality is if we all listened to our bodies we wouldn't gain too much weight. I am terrible about listening to my body and tend to eat mindlessly.

I would definitely do the calorie counting with my OB's approval and guidance. But serif as how much I gained last time, I think keeping an eye on food intake would be a good idea. 40 of the 70 pounds was water, placenta, and baby, and I lost that within 3 weeks. The other 30 was fat and that took 3 months of hard core dieting to get rid of. I don't count calories any more, and I haven't gained any of the weight back. I know the excess weight caused my blood pressure to become elevated at the end of my pregnancy, so I think it would be important to control that in any future pregnancies.

I would definitely do the calorie counting with my OB's approval and guidance. But serif as how much I gained last time, I think keeping an eye on food intake would be a good idea. 40 of the 70 pounds was water, placenta, and baby, and I lost that within 3 weeks. The other 30 was fat and that took 3 months of hard core dieting to get rid of. I don't count calories any more, and I haven't gained any of the weight back. I know the excess weight caused my blood pressure to become elevated at the end of my pregnancy, so I think it would be important to control that in any future pregnancies.

You don't need to count calories. Make sure you eat healthy! Snack on nuts, fruits or vegetables. Don't drink a ton of milk (my doc said it makes women balloon while pregnant.) Eat plenty of protein. For dinner do a protein, vegetable and a starch. You shouldn't gain that much weight if you eat healthy. I'm over 6 months pregnant with 10 pounds weight gain so far. I didn't start gaining until the beginning of my second trimester and I haven't gained since and I'm starting my third trimester today.

You don't need to count calories. Make sure you eat healthy! Snack on nuts, fruits or vegetables. Don't drink a ton of milk (my doc said it makes women balloon while pregnant.) Eat plenty of protein. For dinner do a protein, vegetable and a starch. You shouldn't gain that much weight if you eat healthy. I'm over 6 months pregnant with 10 pounds weight gain so far. I didn't start gaining until the beginning of my second trimester and I haven't gained since and I'm starting my third trimester today.

Most of the people who think you SHOULDN'T be watching your caloric intake are pregnant women who actually think they are eating for two. If ALL the books and doctors and midwives tell you that you only need to add 300 - 500 calories to your diet... how are you suppose to know if you have done that if you aren't keeping an eye on your normal intake?

Most of the people who think you SHOULDN'T be watching your caloric intake are pregnant women who actually think they are eating for two. If ALL the books and doctors and midwives tell you that you only need to add 300 - 500 calories to your diet... how are you suppose to know if you have done that if you aren't keeping an eye on your normal intake?

I do not think that calorie counting or any form of 'dieting' during pregnancy is wise. Eating a healthful, nutrient-dense diet consisting of fruits, veggies, lean meats or other good sources of protein, and whole grains (if breads are desired) will yeild the desired result and nourish you and the fetus. Calorie counting really becomes a non-issue because you get full and feel full without the additional pounds.First things to cut out are fatty foods, highly processed foods, and high calorie foods with little nutritional value. Splurging now and then is even great, as long as it isn't an all day every day thing. The obvious caviat to this plan is 1st tri when it is often difficult to keep anything down and you just have to go with what you can.

I do not think that calorie counting or any form of 'dieting' during pregnancy is wise. Eating a healthful, nutrient-dense diet consisting of fruits, veggies, lean meats or other good sources of protein, and whole grains (if breads are desired) will yeild the desired result and nourish you and the fetus. Calorie counting really becomes a non-issue because you get full and feel full without the additional pounds.First things to cut out are fatty foods, highly processed foods, and high calorie foods with little nutritional value. Splurging now and then is even great, as long as it isn't an all day every day thing. The obvious caviat to this plan is 1st tri when it is often difficult to keep anything down and you just have to go with what you can.

"Just because you are eating healthy.... doesn't exempt you from the act of over eating."It kind of does. When you aren't eating a lot of processed (many processed foods trick your brain into thinking that you are still hungry- I can go into great detail if you ask) and fatty foods, your desire for quantity of food decreases. It doesn't stop boredom or habit eating, but does preclude over-eating at meals.

"Just because you are eating healthy.... doesn't exempt you from the act of over eating."It kind of does. When you aren't eating a lot of processed (many processed foods trick your brain into thinking that you are still hungry- I can go into great detail if you ask) and fatty foods, your desire for quantity of food decreases. It doesn't stop boredom or habit eating, but does preclude over-eating at meals.

Like I said, I ate healthy during my last pregnancy, but I obviously ate more than I should have. I would snack on nuts, but then eat half the tin in one sitting. Or eat a full block of cheese in one day, or 3 bananas one after the other. When you count calories, you have to take.the time to measure your food. I think that in itself helps to prevent overeating.

Like I said, I ate healthy during my last pregnancy, but I obviously ate more than I should have. I would snack on nuts, but then eat half the tin in one sitting. Or eat a full block of cheese in one day, or 3 bananas one after the other. When you count calories, you have to take.the time to measure your food. I think that in itself helps to prevent overeating.

I would say your theory is sound and for many it probably does work. But as someone who eats a 'healthy snack' every hour on the hour at 33 weeks pregnant I most certainly do have to watch what I am eating because it is shocking how fast those calories stack up. I will also say that I am the opposite of your experience, healthy snacks make me MORE hungry. Without the fats and starches to busy my stomach I constantly feel hungry. (That isn't a new thing for me, it has always been that way.)

I would say your theory is sound and for many it probably does work. But as someone who eats a 'healthy snack' every hour on the hour at 33 weeks pregnant I most certainly do have to watch what I am eating because it is shocking how fast those calories stack up. I will also say that I am the opposite of your experience, healthy snacks make me MORE hungry. Without the fats and starches to busy my stomach I constantly feel hungry. (That isn't a new thing for me, it has always been that way.)

I don't consider calorie counting 'dieting' if you aren't on a reduced calorie diet. If the OB says to aim for 2500 calories a day, then is it not a good idea to count to make sure you are getting enough and not eating too much? I had a bottomless pit for a stomach while pregnant. I don't have that problem now, I eat 'healthy' without counting calories; I don't gain any weight and I don't overeat. But pregnant me was a different story.

I don't consider calorie counting 'dieting' if you aren't on a reduced calorie diet. If the OB says to aim for 2500 calories a day, then is it not a good idea to count to make sure you are getting enough and not eating too much? I had a bottomless pit for a stomach while pregnant. I don't have that problem now, I eat 'healthy' without counting calories; I don't gain any weight and I don't overeat. But pregnant me was a different story.

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